What Dessert Do The French Eat At Christmas?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Bûche de Noël

is a traditional French Christmas dessert shaped and decorated like a log. This recipe takes some time, but we promise it’s worth it.

What are the 13 French Christmas desserts?

  • Dates (perhaps stuffed with marzipan) representing the foods of the region where Christ lived and died.
  • Dried plums from Brignoles.
  • Calisson d’aix en Provence – a marzipan-like candy made from almond paste and candied melon.
  • Quince fruit paste or jam.
  • Candied melons.
  • Casse-dents of Allauch – a biscuit.

What do French eat at Christmas?

  • CAVIAR. …
  • OYSTERS. …
  • LOBSTER. …
  • FOIE GRAS. …
  • ESCARGOTS. …
  • COQUILLES SAINT JACQUES. …
  • ROAST TURKEY WITH CHESTNUT STUFFING. …
  • ALL KINDS OF BIRDS AND WILD FOWL.

How many desserts do the French have at Christmas?

The

thirteen desserts

(Occitan: lei tretze dessèrts) are the traditional dessert foods used in celebrating Christmas in the French region of Provence. The “big supper” (le gros souper) ends with a ritual 13 desserts, representing Jesus Christ and the 12 apostles.

What do French people eat for Christmas pudding?

Classically, the meal will start with

oysters and/or foie gras

, continue with turkey – often with chestnut stuffing (get someone to send you sage and onion from Britain; the chestnut stuff is grim), cheese and then dessert. It is a mark of France’s civilisation that the nation has never embraced the Christmas pudding.

What is the most famous French Christmas dish?


Capon or Turkey with chestnut stuffing

This is the most popular and classic Christmas dish. Capon or Turkey is roasted in the oven with a generous chestnut stuffing. Sides are classic : chestnut again, green beans wrapped with bacon, truffle mashed potatoes…

What do the French drink on Christmas?

Festive French cocktails include

Kir Royale

, a gorgeous ruby-hued drink made from Champagne and Crème de Cassis or blackcurrant liqueur. Another classic is a Sidecar made with citrusy Cointreau and Cognac.

Where do we eat 13 different desserts on Christmas Eve?

Traditionally, Christmas Eve dinner in Provence is followed by 13 desserts and guests have to try each one! The custom in Provence is for 13 desserts to be served after the Gros Souper (Christmas Eve dinner) which represent Jesus and the 12 Apostles.

What are the 12 desserts of Christmas?

Caramel Pear Galette Boiled Christmas Fruit Cake Easy Cranberry Cake Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Ganache Huguenot Torte with Cherries Biscochitos Toffee Matzo Chocolate Bread Pudding Pecan Pie Bread Pudding with Whiskey Sauce Almond & Orange Cake with Plum Compote Pear Tarte Tatin

What is a common French dessert?

  • of 20. Easy French Macarons. …
  • of 20. Tulipes. …
  • of 20. Crêpes. …
  • of 20. Chocolate Banana Crepes. …
  • of 20. Faux “Crepe” Cake. …
  • of 20. Lemon-Berry Savarin. …
  • of 20. Coffee Crème Brûlée. …
  • of 20. Palmiers.

What are some French Christmas traditions?

  • Advent calendars – les calendriers de l’Avent. …
  • Postcards from Père Noël. …
  • The nativity scene. …
  • La Chandeleur. …
  • Le Réveillon de Noël. …
  • Père Fouettard. …
  • Shoes by the Fire. …
  • Christmas Dinner.

What desserts originated in France?

  • 1) Croissants. French croissants are a little pastry made with butter and then carefully baked. …
  • 2) Éclairs. Éclairs are made with choux pastry filled with a flavored and sweet cream. …
  • 3) Cannelés. …
  • 4) Macaroons. …
  • 5) Financiers. …
  • 6) Crepes. …
  • 7) Madeleine. …
  • 8) Crème Brûlée.

What are the 13 desserts of Provence?

The thirteen desserts of Provence

Sweets and pastries:

biscuits, candied fruit, cake, almond-paste pastries, spiced bread, waffles, brioche, yule log

– there is a great choice of sweets that can be included. Finally there are always two kinds of nougat – dark nougat and white nougat which represent good and evil.

What do the French eat on Christmas morning?

The main Christmas meal, called ‘

Réveillon

‘, is eaten on Christmas Eve/early Christmas morning after people have returned from the midnight Church Service. Dishes might include roast turkey with chestnuts or roast goose, oysters, foie gras, lobster, venison and cheeses.

How long does a Christmas meal last in France?

Christmas Eve

The evening of December 24th is when French families sit down together to celebrate Christmas and enjoy festive French foods and wines. If you’ve heard about French people eating long and slowly, this dinner is the greatest example of this French custom. The meal can go for

up to six hours

.

How do French celebrate Christmas Eve?

Many people in France

put up a Christmas tree

, visit a special church service, eat an elaborate meal and open gifts on Christmas Eve. Other activities also include walking in a park, participating in city life and sharing a meal with family and close friends.

Sophia Kim
Author
Sophia Kim
Sophia Kim is a food writer with a passion for cooking and entertaining. She has worked in various restaurants and catering companies, and has written for several food publications. Sophia's expertise in cooking and entertaining will help you create memorable meals and events.